A Bird in the Hand, Not One in the House

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you are having

great fun this wonderful summer day. In fact, some

may be taking great fun and new adventures to excess extremes. Are you one of those types? Well, I know someone who is pushing the envelope, um, just a little...Really?

I am Ferdinand The Magnificent

 Why, oh why, Ferdy, do I think you initiated this calamity?

You see that guy way up there? Yeah, he's INSIDE the house, mind you. We have a healthy 20 feet from the main level up to where that guy thinks he's in a cool tree house!!

Yeah, well, that's what I'd like to know Mister. How did this happen?

 This guy is loud!! And boy, he has already made a mess of the walls. Now, Ferdinand thinks this is great sport. Easy catch (not).

 I've tried a paint brush roller on an extension pole, but to no avail. sigh I'm not really sure how to get this confused bird outside. I'll have to wait til one of the guys gets back home.

On to other news. I did a super quickie and super cheap DIY project yesterday. I love how fast this came together thanks to the amazing tutorial Cindy generously shared. Look at the results of these awesome solar garden lights

I got the Shepard's hook at JoAnn Fabrics at 70% off for only $4.49, regularly $14.99; the solar stake lights are at WalMart for .97 cents each; and the glass globe light fixture came from our local Habitat ReStore for $2.00 each. I had the wire.

 Not bad for $7.46 each. I made three of them in about 20 minutes. Now that's fast! The time is in wrapping the wire around the neck of the glass globe and attaching the wire. I used 16 gauge wire. I would probably do 18 or 19 gauge next time, cause the 16 gauge was a little stiff to bend and not necessary considering the small amount of weight these lights are.

Oooh, and I couldn't wait for it to get dark last night. Yay! Perfect little night ambiance along the walk.

Try this. You'll love it!!

Some lucky ones are already getting gifted!!

And there's that Ferdinand stirring up bird trouble!!

 

Rapid Fire DIY Projects Part 1

Welcome friends to my rapid fire DIY project recap. I've had the pleasure of having the last four days off and I've been knocking off my HUGE to do list as fast as I can. The weather has been pretty cooperative here, at least during the best part of the day. So, let me show you what quick and easy stuff I've been having fun with.

Project #1

 First up is a super simple and functional clipboard chalkboard. I've seen this pinned on Pinterest
many different ways, but this version has a little bit of vintage appeal. You will need a generic clipboard (mine had a natural look to it), old ruler or yardstick, black spray paint, chalkboard paint, foam brush, and stain. Although, in my case I didn't have any stain so I just used what I had on hand with the brown shoe polish to age my clipboard top and ruler.

Cover about 4" of the top edge of the clipboard with the brown shoe polish (or stain); also apply shoe polish to the ruler. This gives the wood a bit of an aged look. When it has dried, mask off the board with masking tape and paper and spray the metal clip with the black spray paint.

After a couple of coats of the black spray paint, remove the paper and draw a horizontal pencil line about 4" down from the top of the clipboard. This is where you will start your chalkboard painting.

When the chalkboard paint dried, I cut the ruler to the width of the board and applied it to the clipboard at the division line between the paint and the brown upper portion. I used Liquid Nails to adhere the ruler. Super Easy Peasy! Done in no time at all. I think I may "age" a Scrabble tile holder and adhere it to the bottom edge of the clipboard to hold a piece of chalk.Here's the finished project.

Now all I have to do is wait 3 days to condition the board with chalk and then I'll have a cool new "To Do" clipboard. Yay!! I love chalkboard paint!

Project #2

Here's what I did while waiting for paint to dry.

I found this cute plant holder at TJMaxx the other day and figured the front yard needed another boost of color. The French looking clay pots came from the place that I work at.

BOOM!! Instant color with those adorable clay pots and irresistible Pansy faces!  

Since I still had 2 more of the Frenchy clay pots left over, I planted a couple of extra Pansies and put them on my old wooden bench to keep company with the cast metal kettle.

Pansies seem to have JOY written all over

their faces!!

Project #3
On to the next super quick instant gratification job. 

Here's one of those things that has been around for maybe the ...say....(gulp) last 12 years.

 Now, doesn't everybody have a nekked birdbath/fountain thing sitting in their front yard for over a decade?? Time to remedy that folks!! And it only took minutes to create.

  Well, that is, after I found this beauty at a local antique shop in their back shed. It had a small hole rusted through so I fixed that right up with non-toxic caulking.

 TA DA!!! Mere minutes, I'm tellin' ya. After 12 years.

Sheesh! Welcome all you thirsty birdies. Hope my project manager doesn't mind.

The Great Ferdinand

 Tomorrow, I'll show you part 2 of:

The Rapid Fire DIY Projects

Until then,
I'm linking up to:
Savvy Southern Wow Us Wednesday 

 City Farmhouse Inspiration Exchange

 

Sunday Sunshine Inspirations

Yesterday proved to be one of those glorious sunny mornings that made me come alive with all kinds of inspirational musings. I also had the luxury of having four days off from my regular work week. My morning started before the sun came up 'cause that's just how this girl rolls on a perfect day off. No siree! No sleeping in when there is a list of TO DO's to get started on.

First of all, I had to whip up a batch of cupcakes to bring to church. Our high school graduates were being honored and that meant an after-service meal.

Cupcakes were pretty quick and easy to make before the rest of the family got up. And who could resist breakfast cupcakes!

Especially when accompanied by beautiful peonies.

 Nothing better than to sit outside on a lovely morning than with a cup of coffee, enjoying the view of the ranch lands, and thinking of all of the possibilities that the day could bring.

And by the way, we did not have cupcakes for breakfast. But, I did have fun dressing up the little bistro set with the bicycle tea towel and matching mugs.

And what else could add to the joys of the morning than "drive by" deer out for an early stroll along with the joggers, walkers, and cyclists.

And then they were on their way, stopping here and there to nibble a little greenery in the neighbor's front yard.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a few of my knock-'em-off- my-big-fat-TO-DO list. Here's a sneak preview of one of my many quickie yard art pieces.

Hope your Sunday was sunny and relaxing, too!


 

In The Summertime...

 "In the Summertime when the weather's high,

you can stretch right up and touch the sky..."

"...have a drink, have a drive, go out and see

 what you can find..."

"...When the weather's fine we go fishing

or go swimming in the sea..."

 "We're always happy, life's for living,

yeah, that's our philosophy..."

(lyrics from In The Summertime by Mungo Jerry, 1970)

Yes, I know it's not technically summer yet, but when school lets out for the year and we have such glorious weather like we did here on Sunday, I say

it's Summertime! And what better way to enjoy the day than to take a bike ride on Petal and experience this...

  I am really blessed to live about 2 minutes from our local State Park! 

 One of Montana's Treasures

It's great to see a boy celebrating his birthday with his best buds at the park...

 ...and all the picnics and the wonderful waft of BBQing steaks on the outdoor grills. 

What's your kickoff to Summer fun? 

Gardening? 

Fun time with your kids?

Camping?

 Come Alive with the Summertime!

Nurture your Passion!

  (Caution: this video is definitely a blast from the past, but it's a great catchy tune)